In 2023 we were proud to celebrate – Koala Koaches turned 60!
March 1963, Richard and Louise Young purchased a country school/mail run, which travelled from Burleigh Heads to Upper Tallebudgera Valley and serviced the Ingleside State Primary School. Being typical of these country runs, we also delivered bread, newspapers, meat, stock feed and drums of fuel.
The vehicle which came with the business was an Austin 3-ton truck with an enclosed tray body. The body had three wooden planks for seats and carried nineteen school children.
Soon after the takeover, a 32 seat bus was purchased and in early 1964, a new 12 passenger minibus was added.
As business slowly grew, and with the opening of Miami State High School in 1965, we purchased a new, 25 seat bus. During this year, we applied for and received a Charter Permit.
In November 1966, we received an extension to our Passenger Permit, to operate a service between Burleigh Heads and Mudgeeraba. Our first touring coach was purchased just two years later.
We successfully tendered for Marymount College in 1968, with the routes growing to cover the central Gold Coast and Hinterland regions.
